Brothers plead not guilty to assaulting PM

Two brothers charged with assaulting Prime Minister John Key at Waitangi last month year pleaded not guilty today.

John Junior Popata, 33, and Wikatana Popata, 19, appeared in the Kaitaia District Court.

The pair were supported by a large group of whanau including Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira, Radio New Zealand reported.

Outside the court, Mr Harawira said the brothers were his nephews and he would do what he could to help them, including organising a possible meeting with the prime minister, to see if the matter could be settled out of court.

- NZPA